The Food Doctor Diet

The Food Doctor Diet distinguishes itself from other low carb diets by focusing on a specific negative aspect of physiology as a possible main cause for excess weight gain for many people.


The author of this diet plan proposes that the digestive system, particularly the intestines, is negatively impacted by many of our commonly eaten foods, which causes us to gain weight and feel sick.

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Type – Low Carb

Are special products required - No

Is eating out possible? - Yes

Is the plan family friendly? -Yes

Do you have to buy a book? - Yes

Is the diet easy to maintain? - Yes

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So how does it work?...

Ian Marber, graduate of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and head of the Food Doctor Clinic in London, is the author of this low carb diet plan and bases the ideas in it on anatomy and physiology.


In the Food Doctor Diet book, the reader is educated all about the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system, including looking at how food is broken down and absorbed, and what healthy bacteria the digestive tract is home to.


He also discusses unfriendly yeasts and bacteria, whom he blames for bloating, intense cravings (which lead to over eating), and even candidaisis (thrush).


He then goes on to say that the Food Doctor Diet aims to eliminate foods that cause unfriendly yeasts and bacteria to grow, while supplementing the diet with lots of foods that encourage good intestinal bacteria.


Processed foods and sweet drinks are a prime example of foods that are deemed “bad” for intestinal health.


Eating more healthy foods is supposed to increase the healthy functioning of the intestines (increasing absorption), and reduces cravings.


The program also calls for daily exercise.

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The Diet Plan...

The Food Doctor Diet is a multi-phase diet with an initial one week phase to start weeding out the unhealthy bacteria by completely restricting certain foods that can sustain those bacteria.


Fruits, meats, coffee, and alcohol are completely forbidden as they can supposedly keep those unhealthy bacteria alive.


The fructose in some of these is said to be the culprit for sustaining a lot of the bacteria.


After the first week, the plan becomes more holistic and designed to be followed for life and incorporated into your lifestyle.


The author presents 10 Principles to help guide you in making food choices. In general, the plan calls for lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and lots of fibrous vegetables. These are the foods said to promote optimal intestinal health and support our good bacteria.


The plan emphasizes a low carb diet overall, consisting of 20% complex carbohydrates, 40% vegetables, and 40% lean protein. Simple carbohydrates like sugars should be kept to a minimum.


The Food Doctor Diet plan provides lots of meal plans and recipes as well as a helpful shopping list and food diary to aid in your dieting efforts.


The author focuses on educating the reader about his ten principles and how they should be implemented in your life, along with specific tips and guidelines for every day situations.


He strives to explain the biological and physiological connections and reasons for certain recommendations, for example, he doesn’t just say you should drink lots of water, he goes on to explain exactly why your body needs that water.

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Is it good for you?...

The Food Doctor Diet is based on some time-tested principles like reducing portion size and aiming for a certain ratio of foods during all meals.


However other assumptions, like the idea that the digestive system is as sensitive as Marber claims or that the foods he prescribes actually do what he says they do to the bacteria in our digestive tracts may be slightly off.


Some of the information in the Food Doctor Diet book may be particularly relevant to people suffering from Celiac Disease (aka Coeliac Disease) who do have very sensitive digestive systems that have a proven intolerance to gluten.


Nevertheless, people who follow this diet will very likely lose weight due to the small portion size, reduced carbohydrate content, and overall healthy balance of foods.


Many people will find themselves hungry on this diet, but the recipes are actually very tasty and easy to prepare. The overall principles pushed by the Food Doctor Diet are healthy and useful for many people.

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Example Day...

Breakfast
• Glass of hot water with lemon juice
• Two eggs poached or scrambled
• Slice of rye bread lightly toasted

Lunch
• Bowl of homemade soup
• Grilled turkey breast
• Brown rice
• Salad that contains 5 different vegetables and salad leaves

Dinner
• Stir fry mixed vegetables such as carrots, courgettes, asparagus, baby corn with strips of skinless chicken breast or prawns
• Glass of mineral water

Snacks
• Oatcakes with sliced turkey or guacamole
• Apple or pear with 5 brazil nuts

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